8:06am Sunday 6th April 2008
A decision to remove vending machines dispensing crisps, chocolate and sugary drinks from all NHS hospitals in Wales was announced at the Welsh Assembly last week.
Health minister Edwina Hart revealed the latest nutritional health plans as part of the assembly's One Wales commitment to deliver improvements in hospital food and nutrition.
The assembly intends to liaise with major vending companies to look at the possibility of providing healthier food and drink, with unhealthy vending machines set to disappear from the majority of hospitals in Wales over the next six months.
Edwina Hart said: "Diet has an important role to play in the prevention of obesity and chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers.
"We need to create an environment where it is easier for people to make healthy choices and our public sector settings should be an example of best practice, particularly our hospitals."
A spokesman for Pembrokeshire NHS Trust confirmed that Withybush Hospital would be complying with any forthcoming guidelines set by the Assembly.
She said: "The catering department at Withybush Hospital will be able to adjust the content of a food vending machine situated near the dining room to comply with assembly regulations.
"As it happens, there is very little confectionary in that vending machine as it is."
Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust dietician, Julie Regan, said: "As a trust, work has already been started by the Healthy Workplace Group in the replacement of some of the more traditional vending machine items with healthier options such as sandwiches, cereal bars and bottled water."
She continued: "This announcement gives us the opportunity to continue to promote healthier options in our vending machines."
The move compliments recent work on vending in schools through the Appetite for Life programme and healthy eating pilots in Pembrokeshire schools and leisure centres.
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